Thinking of getting a cat, mouse problem.

[croyde]

Being over run with mice.

I have had the problem before but not as bad as it has been the last few months. I've done traps, poison, sticky pads, filling all holes with wire wool, put away all food, everything but still they come.

People tell me to get a cat. Great for the kids, I have a garden and it would sort the mouse problem, but will it?

The other problem is that I am allergic to cats and dogs so I would have to make sure that the door to my room remains closed and use it as an allergen free haven.

I also realise that before getting a cat, well a kitten or two, I would have to make sure that all the poisons and traps are removed so would getting one be worth all the hassle?

Cheers all.

[croyde]

HOGEPH said:

The cat will solve your mouse problem, although you may have to get used to finding little presents of dead mice around the house.

Allergy medication is available. I have a friend who is allergic to cats, but with the medication, can stay overnight in my house with 4 cats in close proximity.

Go and give a rescue cat a good home!

Thanks for the quick reply. I presume that kittens from rescue centres are in short supply but there are loads on Gumtree. Some are a lot of money yet some are 'free to a good home' because the owner is moving, kids are allergic or their own cat has just had a litter.

[croyde]

madbadger said:

Would be easier to have a pet mouse.

My daughter has a pet hamster with issues already.

[croyde]

Cheers

A few people have said get a female.

[croyde]

plasticpig said:

The allergy thing is an easy issue to solve. Get yourself a Sphynx.

Poor things, they must get cold.

Having read up on the allergy it is the saliva that causes the problems not the fur. You can get 'non-allergy' cats which are specially bred but cost £4000 and they don't guarantee that you won't be allergic. Great!

[croyde]

plasticpig said:

The allergy thing is an easy issue to solve. Get yourself a Sphynx.

The more I look at them, the more I'm starting to like them. Get them in blue and they would look like they came from the Avatar film.

[croyde]

HarryFlatters said:

They feel like a warm, velvety ball bag. Apparently.

[croyde]

So does not the scent of the cat keep the mice away.

Found one under the sofa cushion the other day completely flattened. Must of been crawling around just as my teenager had thrown them self down to watch the telly.

Mouse that is, not a kitten.

Edited by croyde on Friday 11th January 12:30

[croyde]

Nice

[croyde]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/pets/the-cutest-friendlie...

Going to see two kittens today. British Short Hair crosses. Fluffy tabbies to me.

Owner asking 320 for the girl and 220 for the boy. I don't want to split them but do these prices sound right. Private sale not a breeder.

The ginger one is already being looked at and the ad has only just come out.

Any advice guys and girls.

Cheers

[croyde]

Thanks for all the input people, cheers.

We did go for the two that we saw today and they have been great. Seemed very happy to explore the lounge, play, eat, sleep and then do it all again. Not at all perturbed by my three over excited kids and quite happy to sit in laps, be stroked, sleep and then take off again.

Here they are on one of my boy's legs.



The lady we bought them off was very concerned that we do all the right stuff and that we had the right carrier and the food that they are used to. They are even using the litter tray. Lovely pungent smell until I whisk the little dump away

We did meet the mother who is a blue British Shorthair whilst it turns out that the dad was a neighbour's tabby. When we arrived at the cat's home there was already another family there choosing the ginger one and the phone kept ringing with more people wanting the kittens. Obviously very popular.

Personally I have never been a pet person but thanks to the kids we have fish, a hamster and now these two cuties. I never would have thought that I would say that about a cat.

No names yet and my suggestion of Boba and Fett was shouted down. Tomorrow I'm going to put forward Erica and Ernie

The male already loves chasing a toy rope mouse so hopefully we will eventually earn his keep.

Cheers and I'll be stopping by for more advice and I'll be taking them to our local vet on Monday for checks, flea and worm stuff and sort out vaccinations etc.

[croyde]

Day one and there was me thinking that they were doing really well with the kitty litter. One 'accident' in the night on our old knackered sofa and the next morning they were good then they only seemed to be using it for a wee.

Yesterday evening the lounge was really starting to pong and this morning there were a couple of presents on the wooden floor but the pong was getting worse.

Ahh! nice and cosy under the telly and AV equipment. Loads of cables and a perfect place for a quiet dump.

That took a while to clear up but I did find that half the cables were scarts and no longer needed and the rest needed a sort and are now all off the floor.

Due at the vets next week for vaccinations and a general check up and she recommended that I put tin foil under the telly which might discourage them from going there.

Other than that they seem very happy and boisterous. Playing, fighting and sleeping. Happy to be petted and always seeking a lap for a snooze plus they found my ex wife asleep on the sofa last night and she awoke with one on her shoulder and the other under her chin.

[croyde]

Thanks Ali.

Tin foil no good. Just found them playing with it and then peeing all over it before going back to their bed for another snooze.

[croyde]

I am allergic but as long as they stay clear of my room I should be ok and as many have said, I might get used to it. One of them very lightly scratched me on the arm and it immediately went red and a wee bit swollen with lots of itching.

Pothole, yep crazy I know and being tight with cash, I still can't believe it myself. The woman refused to move on price, the other family were happy to pay the rate for the other kitten and her phone was going constantly with people wanting them.

This all convinced me that I was paying the correct price. I do feel done yet the family selling them were very open and helpful and I didn't feel like they were trying to rip me off.

I called the husband today just to get the exact birth dates for the vets and he didn't sound at all cagey on knowing who I was and the fact that I was phoning him. He wanted to know how they were and if everything was alright.

Unfortunately I know about cars and motorbikes but nothing about pet prices but on retro looking, I see that sort of money may be correct for a pedigree British Short Hair but not for a Short Hair Cross.

Maybe buying cats from Fulham is not a good idea and one should buy from up North.

[croyde]

I realise that I did the wrong thing but I assure you that they will be looked after and loved like the rest of the family

Some of their litter would have made sense even to my non pet brain. A good point.

My mum, who is staying with us, is a cat nut and has sat in the lounge all day grabbing the little ones when they eat then go for under the telly and placing them in the tray. So far a success.

Is it strange that they use the litter for weeing, no problem, but have been going elsewhere for a poo, some of the time?

Edited by croyde on Monday 14th January 21:16

[croyde]

Mobile Chicane said:

croyde said:

My mum, who is staying with us, is a cat nut and has sat in the lounge all day grabbing the little ones when they eat then go for under the telly and placing them in the tray. So far a success.

Is it strange that they use the litter for weeing, no problem, but have been going elsewhere for a poo, some of the time?

The kittens' mother would have licked their bums after they'd eaten to encourage toileting.

Cat nut, you say?

[croyde]

ali_kat said:

Mobile Chicane said:

I'd suggest you use exactly the same litter the 'breeder' used.

She should have given you a small bagful of their used litter to scent their new tray, so the kittens know where to go.

So do I, but you can gradually change it over

Good work from your Mum, fingers crossed it helps!

Morning Ali

They are using CatSan and no accidents yesterday or overnight. After breakfast an hour ago they both went and did their business in the tray without any prompting.

I can't believe I am posting this crap

OK I know I can get a book on this but I am relying on the PH pet owner's vast knowledge, especially as specific pet forums can be so condescending. The flak I took when I went to forums for help with the fish, Jayzuz!!

So today's question is:

How long do I keep them confined to the lounge? My worry would be that there are so many places in the rest of the house for them to hide, get stuck or disappear. The girl cat (Jess) keeps trying to get out of the door when I go in so is eager to explore.

Thanks.

[croyde]

Cheers Greg

I don't plan to have them as indoor cats and we do have a garden that backs onto other gardens which is good as I would like them to have an outdoor life.

More than a month eh! well the one obvious benefit is that in the first time in over 14 years in this house is that everyone is keeping the doors closed and now the lounge stays much warmer.

In fact so warm I have been able to turn the heating right down

[croyde]

Thanks Ali

Didn't you find the odd present in some far corner of the house when they first came home. I only ask as today the No2s have been in the right place but there has been a couple of No1s on the easy to clean Pergo floor

Also their owner asked me to continue them on Whiskas Kitten wet food yet some of the stuff I have been reading suggests that dry food would be better. Any comments.

Cheers again

[croyde]

Sorry to hear that Sway.